Dale St School and Memorial School "Book Buddies"

What are Book Buddies?

On Friday, March 1st, Mr. Mason's class walked from Dale Street School to Memorial School to take part in a "Book Buddy" session. The students read Scholastic News and in honoring Dr Seuss' birthday, they all drew the LORAX.

Don't miss the photos from this visit.

Mr Mason's 5th Grade 5 class will be visiting Mrs. Ravinski's Grade 1, Memorial School Class for Book Buddy sessions every other Friday or so from now until the end of the school year.

Dale Street teacher, Mike Mason states, "The goal of Book Buddies is to foster the love of reading. The Grade 5 students will read aloud to the 1st graders and the 1st graders will also read to the 5th graders.

The 1st grade students will hopefully see the 5th grade students as role models and will be encouraged to enjoy reading. In turn, the 5th graders will develop a sense of teamwork and camaraderie with their fellow Medfielders!"

Memorial School teacher, Kathy Ravinski commented, "We love having the big kids visit, and in addition to reading together, when the weather gets a bit warmer, we might include some of our gardening and honey bee activities!" She also was thrilled to have three of her former students who are now in Mason's class, come back as 5th grade Book Buddies.

When asked about this program, almost every one of Mr. Mason's students commented about how much they enjoy reading to the "little kids". Mason asked the students to write about this program and here is what they wrote.

"I like book buddies because I like reading with the 1st graders and helping them read", wrote Peter. "My Book Buddy is really kind and funny", wrote Karim. Charlie wrote, "It's fun to see Mrs. Ravinski because she's my old teacher and I haven't seen her since first grade until now!"

Aleeza wrote, "I Love Book Buddies because the kids are so sweet.", and Mia wrote, "I love Book Buddies because we get to interact with the 1st graders and it brings back memories of Memorial School. Also we get to see some of our old teachers and when they see us grown up, it is so so cool."

Libby wrote, "Book Buddies comes with good memories! I remember when I was smaller and having Book Buddies. I really enjoyed it and looked forward to it every other week. Now I get to be the older one and hope that Mrs. Ravinski's class is as excited as I am."

"What I like about Book Buddies is getting to go back into my old school and seeing all the little kids. I have some good memories at Memorial and I love little kids. My brother is also in the class that we visit and I like to visit him", wrote Caroline. Jaxon also wrote about going back to Memorial School "...remember all of the fun times and memories we spent there, Eva wrote, ...my Book Buddy is so nice...and making a new friend, its just wonderful!"

Joey wrote, "...we can make them laugh." Lily wrote, "...my Buddy loves reading, so she reads to me", Spencer wrote, "...it is fun learning about what they like to read." Brady likes "seeing the 1st graders and it is fun helping them", Cameron likes to "read short books", Alex likes that "they read to us", Julian likes it "because we get to read to younger kids", and Owen wrote "I like reading and having a fun time with my Book Buddy."

Mr. Grenham, Dale St School Principal, stopped by to see what Book Buddies were doing too!